20 High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs

High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. In a variety of situations, nursing jobs involves giving patients direct care and support. Students who are training to be nurses frequently work in a variety of settings and departments to obtain practical experience in various medical disciplines. Finding out more about the nursing specializations that are accessible to you might assist you in selecting the career path that is best for you. This article discusses 20 High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs you might want to think about, along with each one’s wages and employment responsibilities.

Related: Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs No GRE

What is nursing specialty?

An area of nursing known as a nursing specialty focuses on a specific patient demographic or medical condition. The former category includes specializations like pediatrics or geriatrics, while the latter includes ones like diabetes and cancer. The heart or digestive system are only two examples of specific body systems or parts that some nursing specializations concentrate on. A nurse often needs to work in a rotation to get practical experience before deciding on a specialty. Nursing professionals can pursue certificates in particular nursing specialties after completing the necessary work hours.

High paying nursing specialty jobs

•  Neonatal Nurse

Nurses who specialize in neonatal care provide specialized care for infants in critical care units who are at risk of problems. These include infants that are born too soon and those with birth problems, such as cardiac or other birth deformities, genetic diseases, or drug addiction. Although sometimes care is provided after the newborn stage, neonatal nurses normally provide care for these infants until they leave the hospital.

A current RN license and at least an associate degree are the minimum prerequisites for a career in neonatal nursing, while bachelor’s degrees in nursing are preferred for positions that are more competitive (BSN). The Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification is required for all neonatal nurses. The majority pursue additional qualifications, such as those in Low-Risk Neonatal Nursing and Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

Wage of $71,582

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

This nursing specialty focuses on preparing and delivering anesthetic, making it one of the highest-paid nursing jobs available. In close collaboration with anesthesiologists, surgeons, dentists, and other medical specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) make sure patients are safely sedated before undergoing a surgery. This is also one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

With a median yearly pay of $174,790, CRNAs are essentially the highest-paid nurses in the industry. Additionally, the top 10% might make significantly more money, up to and including a yearly salary of almost $208,000.

• Orthopedic nursing

Patients with diverse musculoskeletal conditions are treated by an orthopedic nurse. The musculoskeletal system, which is made up of tendons, muscles, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, and discs among other things, is affected by these diseases or injuries. They include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, muscle strain, and arthritis. Orthopedic nursing is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. After a joint replacement, they aid in the patient’s recovery. Orthopedic nurses must also inform patients on the problems they have, as well as other self-care and support mechanisms. In the UK, the median annual salary for orthopedic nurses is £46,000.

•  Cardiac care nurse

Patients with heart issues are cared for by a cardiac care nurse. Their main responsibilities include keeping an eye on cardiac health, giving medication and painkillers, and evaluating stress tests. They typically care for patients after operations and treatments in hospital units or specialized cardiac care units. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

• General Nurse Practitioner

You have the option to start your own general nursing practice or work in a number of primary care settings as a general nurse practitioner. Along the process, you can also improve your abilities and your earning potential. If they choose, general NPs can subsequently specialize in a particular area.

The median annual wage for general nurse practitioners is $120,680, according to the May 2021 BLS. Generally, general nurse practitioners work a 40-hour workweek, earning $58.02 per hour. This can also be referred to as one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. According to the BLS, employment for nurse practitioners (which includes general) will increase by 45 percent by 2030. The forecast for this speciality is strong, especially when you take into account the ability to work autonomously.

The minimal degree needed to become a nurse practitioner is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is followed by obtaining the state-specific nurse practitioner license.

Hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, private practices, and staffing firms are among employers.

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners make an average of $134,702 a year. With a median base pay of $125,000, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are the highest-paid Nurse Practitioners, according to a 2019 survey by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). This sum is somewhat in line with those wages.

The BLS predicts a 45% increase in employment for advanced practice nurses over the next ten years. More specifically, there will, on average, be 24,200 job vacancies for Nurse Practitioners in general each year from 2019 through 2029. The demand for PMHNPs will only increase as mental health issues continue to rise in prevalence. The Health Resources & Administration predicts that by 2030, there will be 6690 additional full-time equivalents (FTEs) added to the nation’s pool of psychiatric NPs.

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner must complete substantial training and coursework to practice. The very minimum needed to perform this highly specialized nursing profession is an MSN.

Patients with diverse psychiatric disorders and illnesses are cared for by specialists in the field of psychiatric mental health. Despite being quite well compensated, this position is particularly difficult. A Psychiatric Mental Health NP’s everyday duties include treating patients with schizophrenia, eating disorders, panic disorders, personality disorders, severe traumas, and many other mental illnesses and diseases. They are responsible for making diagnoses, giving psychotherapy, keeping track of patients’ health, dispensing medication, and in some states, even writing prescriptions.

Mental Health Nurse Practitioners have a wide range of work opportunities, including independent clinics, psychiatric hospitals, public and private hospitals, prisons, government organizations, and many more.

•  Acute care nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners who specialize in acute care treat significant injuries and diseases. Examining, identifying, and treating these wounds and illnesses in their patients are their main responsibilities. Additionally, they will suggest therapies, drugs, and aftercare programs. Teaching patients about their problems and assisting them in creating a health plan for care or treatment after discharge is another crucial duty. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

• Certified nurse midwife 

A registered nurse who has obtained certification to care for patients who are pregnant, or nursing is known as a certified nurse midwife (CNM) and it is regarded has one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. In addition to providing gynecological services and primary care procedures like physical examinations, certified nurse-midwives can inform their patients about reproductive health. The majority of certified nurse-midwives participate in delivery procedures by supporting women during labor and providing postpartum care for newborns. In addition to providing advice and assistance to new moms, certified nurse midwives concentrate on the mental health requirements of their patients.

•  Pediatric nurse practitioner

A registered nurse who has completed advanced training in neonatal and pediatric health care is known as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Pediatric patients, especially those who require critical care, are the main focus of pediatric nurse practitioners’ practice. Many pediatric nurse practitioners treat infants who are born prematurely or who acquire illnesses before they are even born. Additionally, some pediatric nurse practitioners decide to pursue extra education in order to care for infants who are critically ill. This type of nurses is part of those with High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

•  Advanced practice registered nurse

A registered nurse who pursues advanced nursing education is known as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). In order to put the nursing practices and advanced care techniques they learn during their postgraduate study into practice, many advanced practice registered nurses decide to become nurse practitioners after completing their education. Advanced practice registered nurses carry out tasks like conducting physical examinations, maintaining patient records, and creating treatment plans for their patients without frequently needing medical supervision. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

• Director of nursing

A health care facility’s nursing procedures are supervised by a director of nursing. In order to enhance the nursing specialty, they see and use, some nurse practitioners decide to become directors of nursing. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. Nursing directors oversee the daily activities of a facility’s nursing staff and implement changes to nursing policy that can increase effectiveness and patient satisfaction. In order to enter the industry and gain experience, the majority of directors of nursing first work as registered nurses or nurse practitioners.

•  Family nurse practitioner

A registered nurse who has completed specialized training in family practice is known as a family nurse practitioner. Family nurse practitioners, who frequently work for family practices or clinics, are qualified to treat both children and adults. A family nurse practitioner’s job involves helping patients maintain their health over time and educating them about preventative care, which motivates many of them to volunteer in underserved areas of society. This type of nurse practitioner is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

•  ICU Nurse

This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. ICU nurses need a unique set of abilities because they frequently deal with life-and-death situations. Although they can work in various nursing specialties, they frequently work in hospital ICUs. A critical care nurse has a very high level of critical thinking and nursing abilities, making it one of the most sought-after nursing roles.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average yearly pay for ICU nurses was $120,243 as of June 2022. Depending on their shift, hospital, and location, critical care nurses can earn well over $200,000, however the usual range is between $76,500 and $145,500. The salary scale for new nurses typically begins at the bottom and quickly rises. Critical care nurses typically put in a 36-hour work week, earning an hourly rate of about $57.81.

When you hear about nursing shortages, the emergency rooms, neonatal intensive care units, and adult critical care units are the most in need. ICU nurses should therefore often have no trouble getting employment. Although no particular qualifications are required to start working in critical care, you might think about taking the CCRN certification exam in order to improve. To ensure that intensive care nurses are confident in their knowledge and capabilities, the majority of hospitals will provide them with specialized training.

Hospitals, managed care settings, outpatient surgery centers, administration, research committees, cardiac catheter labs, post-anesthesia care units, emergency departments, cardiac centers, urgent care clinics, short-term stay hospitals, and staffing firms are some of the employers. Adult critical care, pediatric critical care, or geriatric critical care are all specialties for critical care nurses.

Read Also: Top 20 Accelerated BSN Programs For Non-Nurses

• Pain Management Nurse

Pain management nurses provide post-operative pain management or care for individuals with chronic pain problems. Along with educating patients on pain management and preventing addiction or dependence on prescribed medicine, they collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to identify the source of the pain and the best course of action for treatment.

The average annual compensation for pain management nurses is $110,420. Nurses who specialize in pain management typically work 40 hours per week, earning an hourly rate of about $47.41. The need for pain management nurses is high since they can work in a range of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing homes. This is another out of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. The demand for skilled pain management nurses will only increase as the population becomes older.

Even though a graduate degree is not required to work as a pain management nurse, you must have enough RN experience to apply for the Nurse Practitioner certification for Pain Management Specialists. Hospitals, drug counseling facilities, drug dependency clinics, treatment facilities, oncology clinics, sports rehabilitation facilities, long-term care institutions, fitness facilities, and staffing firms are among the employers.

•  Adult gerontology nurse practitioner

This is also one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. Due to the fact that patients in their area of expertise range in age from late adolescence to advanced age, the adult gerontology nurse practitioner has access to a wide range of career prospects. Additionally, their qualification gives them access to primary care training and the chance to work in a specialist gerontology practice. They are in charge of giving out preventative services such regular checks, vaccinations, lifestyle advice, screenings, and risk evaluations. Acute and chronic ailments can be identified and treated by them as well. Hospitals, private practices, hospices, and home-based care facilities all use AGNPs.

• Registered Nurse First Assist

A perioperative registered nurse who serves as a first assistant during surgical procedures is known as a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA). Depending on the institution, an RNFA’s function and duties will change significantly. Due to residents and fellows, large academic teaching hospitals might not hire as many RNFA.

According to Salary.com, the average pay for a Registered Nurse First Assist is $101,890 as of May 2022. However, the range is usually between $92,181 and $113,509. The wage range varies according on geography and years of experience. RNFAs normally work 36 hours per week, earning a salary of about $49.00 per hour. The demand for well-trained Registered Nurse First Assistants is expanding quickly as a result of the staggering number of outpatient surgical centers that are developing across the nation.

As this advanced training expands on the fundamentals and is centered on surgical anatomy, procedures, and techniques, the nurse must first have significant perioperative experience in order to become an RNFA. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. The nurse must possess the following qualifications in order to become a certified RNFA: a bachelor’s degree, a CNOR certification, a valid and unencumbered RN license, and 2,000 hours of RNFA work experience. Ambulatory surgical centers, hospitals, outpatient same-day surgery facilities, private offices, research, staffing firms, and product development are among places where RNFAs might find employment.

• Nurse Manager

The median annual income for Medical and Health Services Managers, which includes Nurse Managers, is $118,800, making it one of the highest paying administrative positions in the nursing industry. Salary levels in the District of Columbia are much higher at $157,590. Following closely behind are New York, Hawaii, and California, with average Nurse Manager salaries of $156,140, $139,650, and $138,030. In addition to earning high salaries, nurse managers have excellent career opportunities. By 2029, it is expected that employment in this field of work would increase by 32%.

By first seeking and finishing a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, one might start a career as a nurse manager. Although strongly recommended, an MSN degree is not a necessity, and many medical facilities will still hire RNs with a BSN in administrative positions. You can accomplish your objective of becoming a nurse manager. Enroll in the RN-to-BSN program at Nightingale College to start preparing for the next phase of your career. This type of nurses is part of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs.

Nurse managers are responsible for a wide range of tasks. In a medical facility, they are responsible for supervising, directing, and leading the nursing staff. Nothing is outside of a nurse manager’s purview, including developing timetables, overseeing budgets, and resolving workplace conflicts. The majority of nurse managers find employment in primary medical and surgical facilities. Additionally, they can work in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care services.

•  Women’s health nurse practitioner

Women’s health nurse practitioners are experts in giving female patients primary care services for all conditions specific to women’s health, such as routine physicals and screenings, maternity care, contraceptive advice, and STD treatments. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. They typically work in private practices, OB/GYN offices, women’s health clinics, and family planning facilities. Their work is centered on women’s health, from conception through postpartum, and as a result, it covers a wide range of health problems that are specific to female patients.

• Emergency nurse practitioner

These types of nurses are part of those with High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. Patients who have been admitted to an emergency room or urgent care facility are treated by an emergency nurse practitioner. One of their key responsibilities is to swiftly identify the source of the patient’s symptoms by ordering, interpreting, and documenting tests and examinations. Based on these evaluations, they also suggest therapies and prescribe drugs. As an ENP, you must be able to recognize a patient’s most urgent medical needs, deliver resuscitative care as soon as it’s needed, and communicate treatment plans effectively to patients from a range of cultural backgrounds.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical Nurse Specialists are paid considerably for playing the part of an expert in the nursing sector. The approximate annual amount is $106,400. As APRNs, Clinical Nurse Specialists have good career prospects because the BLS predicted a 45% increase in the need for APRNs. Like nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, and nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist is a position in advanced practice nursing. If you’re interested in this well-paying nursing specialization, you should get your MSN or PhD.

You will play a vital and complex role as a clinical nurse specialist, serving as an expert clinician, educator, consultant, researcher, and even a leader. Some duties include advising and instructing nurses, giving direct care, organizing evidence-based practice initiatives, participating in research, and educating nurses, patients, and families. This is one of the High Paying Nursing Specialty jobs. Clinical nurse specialists are required to hold certification in a chosen field, such as women’s health, gerontology, pediatrics, family, or psychiatry. They then perform the duties of an authority in their specialized field.

There are many different businesses in which one might get employment for this well-paying nurse position. They are able to work in private offices, university health centers, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. The majority are still headquartered in hospitals.

FAQS on High Paying Nursing Specialty

Conclusion

As you have already seen, a career in nursing may be rewarding in terms of both experience and earning possibilities. The short answer is yes if you have ever wondered whether it is worthwhile to devote your time, money, and effort to furthering your education. The return on investment will be relatively high because to the favorable perks, competitive pay, and consequent sense of accomplishment on a personal and professional level.

There is no better time than the present to pursue that bachelor’s or master’s degree and advance your career. Additionally, your professional success is the success of the entire healthcare sector because everything in our world is intertwined. When you succeed, the whole nation benefits.

As you have already seen, a career in nursing may be rewarding in terms of both experience and earning possibilities. The short answer is yes if you have ever wondered whether it is worthwhile to devote your time, money, and effort to furthering your education. The return on investment will be relatively high because to the favorable perks, competitive pay, and consequent sense of accomplishment on a personal and professional level.

There is no better time than the present to pursue that bachelor’s or master’s degree and advance your career. Additionally, your professional success is the success of the entire healthcare sector because everything in our world is intertwined. When you succeed, the whole nation benefits.

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